The Invisible Impact Of A Visible Disease: Psychosocial Impact Of Alopecia Areata

June 2023 in “ Dermatology and Therapy ”

Natasha Atanaskova Mesinkovska, Brittany G. Craiglow, Susan Ball, Paula Morrow, Sarah G Smith, Evangeline Pierce, Jerry Shapiro

TLDR Alopecia Areata causes emotional stress and stigma, but those with severe hair loss may adapt better.

The study on the psychosocial impact of Alopecia Areata (AA) reveals that individuals with AA face significant emotional burdens, negative self-perception, and stigma. Interestingly, the impact of AA is not directly correlated with the extent of hair loss. Participants with 95-100% scalp hair loss reported a lower impact, suggesting they may have adapted to living with the condition.

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Research cited in this study

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The Relationship Between Patient-Reported Severity of Hair Loss and Health-Related Quality of Life and Treatment Patterns Among Patients with Alopecia Areata

research The Relationship Between Patient-Reported Severity of Hair Loss and Health-Related Quality of Life and Treatment Patterns Among Patients with Alopecia Areata

4 citations , March 2022 in “Dermatology and Therapy”

People with moderate hair loss from Alopecia Areata feel more impacted than those with no or almost complete hair loss, and are more likely to seek treatment.

‘You Lose Your Hair, What’s the Big Deal?’ I Was So Embarrassed, I Was So Self-Conscious, I Was So Depressed: A Qualitative Interview Study to Understand the Psychosocial Burden of Alopecia Areata

research ‘You Lose Your Hair, What’s the Big Deal?’ I Was So Embarrassed, I Was So Self-Conscious, I Was So Depressed: A Qualitative Interview Study to Understand the Psychosocial Burden of Alopecia Areata

30 citations , September 2020 in “Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes”

Alopecia Areata (AA) causes significant emotional distress, including feelings of embarrassment, depression, and anxiety, and impacts social interactions and daily activities.

Development of Clinician-Reported Outcome and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Eyebrow, Eyelash, and Nail Assessment in Alopecia Areata

research Development of Clinician-Reported Outcome and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Eyebrow, Eyelash, and Nail Assessment in Alopecia Areata

56 citations , August 2020 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

New tools help assess eyebrow, eyelash, and nail changes in Alopecia Areata, improving understanding of patient experiences.

research The Autoimmune Basis of Alopecia Areata: A Comprehensive Review

162 citations , October 2014 in “Autoimmunity reviews”

Alopecia areata is caused by the immune system attacking hair follicles.